Kalshi made headlines as the first CFTC-regulated prediction market in the United States, but it’s not your only choice. Whether you’re looking for more contract variety, international access, or onchain transparency, several platforms now compete for your attention. This guide walks you through five solid alternatives that offer different features, regulatory frameworks, and trading experiences in 2026.
ForecastEx via Interactive Brokers
ForecastEx launched in late 2023 and quickly carved out a niche among institutional traders. You can access it directly through Interactive Brokers, which means you get the same robust infrastructure and compliance tools you’d expect from a major brokerage. The platform focuses on economic and political events, offering binary contracts on Federal Reserve decisions, GDP releases, and election outcomes.
What sets ForecastEx apart is its deep liquidity on macro events. Traders who already hold IBKR accounts can fund positions instantly without opening yet another account. The fee structure is transparent, and settlement happens through your existing brokerage balance. If you trade futures or options already, ForecastEx feels like a natural extension of your workflow.
Why ForecastEx fits institutional flow
Hedge funds and prop desks prefer ForecastEx because it integrates with existing risk systems. You can route orders via FIX protocol, monitor positions in real time, and reconcile settlements alongside your other derivatives. That seamless integration matters when you’re managing multiple strategies across asset classes.
Polymarket for international users
Polymarket runs on Polygon and attracts a global user base. It’s not available to U.S. residents, but if you’re based outside the United States, it offers the widest range of markets you’ll find anywhere. You can bet on everything from tech product launches to sports outcomes, all settled in USDC. The platform uses an order-book model, so you see real-time bids and asks just like a traditional exchange.
The onchain structure means every trade is transparent and verifiable. You hold your funds in a non-custodial wallet, which appeals to users who value self-custody. Polymarket also publishes detailed market data, making it a favorite among researchers studying crowd forecasting accuracy.
PredictIt’s academic limits
PredictIt operates under a no-action letter from the CFTC, which allows it to run as a research project. That status comes with strict caps: you can’t invest more than $850 per contract, and total market size is capped as well. These limits make PredictIt less appealing for serious traders, but the platform still attracts a passionate community focused on political forecasting.
The academic focus means you’ll find niche markets on congressional votes, primary races, and policy decisions that other platforms skip. If you’re more interested in testing your political instincts than maximizing profit, PredictIt remains a useful tool in 2026.